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The engineered C-Ling® solution will minimise corrosion within the internal structure of the foundation. The C-Ling® solution: Will minimise corrosion within the internal structure of the foundation by preventing the exchange of water
The engineered C-Ling® solution will minimise corrosion within the internal structure of the foundation.
The C-Ling® solution:
> Will minimise corrosion within the internal structure of the foundation by preventing the exchange of water
> Reinstates the intended corrosion prevention strategy for the foundation
> Has been pre-engineered so that it is suitable for all sites
> Is a dynamic self-sealing solution that adapts to the changing environment
> Requires no ongoing maintenance
> Has been engineered, to be installed using a single tower team from the lower working platform. Minimising the risk to personnel, structures and facilities
> Utilises a patent pending, pressure differential to create a perfect, water tight seal
> Can prevent the transfer of acidic water and anodic material to the environment
Solving Turbine Corrosion Problems
Cable entry points within monopiles have been a challenge for the industry over the last decade. Economies achieved by losing the cable J tubes have been threatened by poor cable protection seals; over 90% have failed, causing unexpected and significant corrosion, leading to dramatic annual losses of steel in the primary steel structure. Corrosion remains a problem as the existing cable protection systems cannot maintain a sealed, deoxygenated environment. This leads to operational issues as a turbine’s expected life expectancy of 25 years is being dramatically reduced, in some cases by up to 15 years, a 60% loss which would prevent any life extension options on the wind farm.
The current industry approach to treating the problem is based around well utilised oil and gas techniques, using zinc & aluminium anodes. This has environmental issues with leaching of hazardous chemicals in to the sea which is something that is increasingly being seen as an unacceptable cost to the environment. In addition, commercially it is expensive to install and maintain, given that there are multiple smaller sites per turbine, rather than a single platform as is more often the case in the oil and gas industry.
C-Ling® the cleaner, greener corrosion solution
In an attempt to find a cleaner solution, CWind formed a partnership with AIS to develop its C-Ling® technology, aimed at providing an innovative and economic product to prolong the life of the turbine foundation without compromising the environment.
C-Ling® works by resealing the turbine foundation with a robust seal, which uses the power of nature to maintain integrity in the dynamic environment and adapt to the changing conditions.
C-Ling® is unique in the market, using a hydrophilic sealant that can self-seal to equalise water pressure differentials, and therefore stopping the transfer of water and anodic material entering the environment.
The benefits are not only positive to the environment, but to the primary structure itself in sealing the foundation with minimal effort. The C-Ling® system is currently being utilised on a 12 month trial at Blyth which will be completed in March 2020.
TRL (Technology readiness level) Scale
